|
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy & Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine abstracted & translated by Keywords: Chinese medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, integrated Chinese-Western medicine, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy In issue #12, 2001, Guo Chang-e published an article titled, “The Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy with Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine,” in Si Chuan Zhong Yi (Sichuan Chinese Medicine) on page 39. This article is representative of research being conducted in the People’s Republic of China on the integrated Chinese-Western medical treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its outcomes. Cohort description: All 23 patients in this study were seen as in-patients. Among these, there were 15 men and eight women who ranged in age from 45-70 years, with an average age of 56.5. All these patients had had diabetes fro 8-25 years and peripheral neuropathy for 0.5-5 years. All met WHO criteria for diabetes. Clinical symptoms included numbness, coolness, and several different varieties of abnormal sensations, such as pricking pain, in the extremities. Treatment method: All the patients in this study received the following basic formula: uncooked Radix Astragali Membranacei (Huang Qi), 30g, Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Dang Gui), 20g, Radix Ligustici Wallichii (Chuan Xiong), 15g, Radix Rubrus Paeoniae Lactiflorae (Chi Shao), 15g, Radix Pseudoginseng (San Qi), 6g, Fructus Chaenomelis Lagenariae (Mu Gua), 30g, Lumbricus (Di Long), 30g, and uncooked Radix Rehmanniae (Sheng Di), 15g. One ji of these medicinals was decocted in water per day and administered warm in two divided doses, morning and evening, with 10 days equaling one course of treatment. In addition, all patients received low power laser irradiation (LPLI) for 60 minutes per day as well as 20ml of Mai Luo Ning (Vessel & Network Vessel Tranquilizer, presumably a proprietary Chinese-manufactured pharmaceutical) administered intravenously in 500ml of “706 Blood Replacement Solution,” also once per day. Treatment outcomes: After 1-3 courses of treatment, eight cases saw their pricking pain disappear, while another 13 cases saw a marked reduction in their pricking pain. Thus the total amelioration for the relief of this symptom was 91.3%. Four patients saw their numbness, coolness, and other abnormal sensations disappear completely, while another 10 saw marked improvement, for a total amelioration rate of these symptoms of 80%. Sixteen cases had weakened tendon reflexes before treatment. After treatment, eight cases had normal tendon reflexes, while six more had improved tendon reflexes. Therefore, there was a 90% amelioration rate in this symptom. Discussion: According to Dr. Guo, this condition is mostly due to qi and yin dual vacuity complicated by blood stasis in the network vessels. Therefore, within the above formula, Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Chi Shao, and San Qi are meant to quicken the blood and transform stasis. Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae (Niu Xi) (sic; this ingredient seems to have been left out of the published list of ingredients) guides the other medicinals to move downward where it promotes the free flow of the qi and blood. Huang Qi supplements the qi and upbears yang, thus also promoting the flow of blood. Mu Gua and Di Long free the flow of the channels and network vessels, quicken the blood and transform stasis, and Sheng Di engenders fluids, nourishes yin, and stops thirst. Dr. Guo considers Sheng Di an essential medicinal for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Because these medicinals match the disease mechanism at work in diabetic peripheral neuropathy, Dr. Guo believes it get a definite or dependable effect. Copyright © Blue Poppy Press, 2002. All rights reserved. For more information on the Chinese medical treatment of diabetes and all its complications, see Bob Flaws, Lynn Kuchinski & Dr. Robert Casañas’s The Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus with Chinese Medicine available from Blue Poppy Press in Spring 2002. |
